A brazen bank robbery in Ely, Iowa, has landed a Cedar Rapids man in federal prison for more than three years. Robert Melton, 51, pleaded guilty to one count of bank robbery and was sentenced on September 2, 2014, to 46 months in federal prison.
The crime occurred on January 17, 2014, when Melton entered the Solon State Bank in Ely and handed a note to a teller demanding cash. The teller complied, and Melton left the bank, got into his truck, and drove away. However, a witness to the robbery followed Melton and called 911, reporting his location to law enforcement.
Law enforcement officers quickly stopped Melton and took him into custody. At his guilty plea on May 15, 2014, Melton admitted to the crime, acknowledging that he had given the teller a note demanding money and warning the teller not to do anything or else nothing would happen.
Melton was sentenced by United States District Court Chief Judge Linda R. Reade in Cedar Rapids. In addition to the 46-month prison term, Melton was ordered to pay a special assessment of $100 and serve a three-year term of supervised release after his prison term. As there is no parole in the federal system, Melton will serve his full sentence.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Anthony Morfitt and investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Linn County Sheriff’s Office. Court file information is available at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/, with the case file number being 14-CR-00024.
Melton is currently being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison to begin serving his sentence. The sentencing brings closure to the case, but the incident serves as a reminder of the serious consequences of committing bank robbery.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and local law enforcement agencies take bank robberies very seriously, and those who commit such crimes can expect to face severe penalties. In this case, Melton’s decision to rob the Solon State Bank has resulted in a significant prison sentence, highlighting the importance of respecting the law and the consequences of violating it.
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Key Facts
- State: Iowa
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
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